The statement continues: “Stone Brewing is the perfect partner for us with endless commonalities in our ideals, outlooks, and paths forward. Our views of the worlds that we each inhabit, of creativity and process, and of sense of place in relation to our peers and “The Man” are almost identical.

We can’t wait to share this incredible beverage with everyone out there

Metallica

“This collaboration is beyond effortless and pure, and we can’t wait to share this incredible beverage with everyone out there.

“In conjunction with the leadership of Stone, we have participated throughout every step alongside their talented brewing team. From our HQ outside of San Francisco to Stone’s brewery and HQ in San Diego to many beers backstage at shows, the spirit of collaboration was powerful.”

Shortly after the launch of Blackened, Pickerell died suddenly at the age of 62, with Metallica issuing a statement to say he was “an extraordinarily smart, extraordinarily creative, and extraordinarily passionate life force, and the mark he left on the world of whiskey and distilled beverages is far larger than mere words could accurately reflect.”

Metallica will return to the UK and Europe on the next leg of their WorldWired tour from May, while fans can vote for the best Metallica song of all time in our new online poll. Look out for the final results in the coming weeks.